Dean, College of Liberal Arts

at  California State University

Job no: 543229
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: San Luis Obispo
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)
Position Description

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will have the credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor, including a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and supporting research, as well as an earned doctorate or terminal degree in a discipline within the College.

They will also possess the following qualifications and characteristics:

• A leadership style that inspires and fosters communication, community building, and mutually beneficial partnerships
• Experience in the design and continuous implementation of strategic planning
• Demonstrated experience and/or commitment to supporting faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities
• Demonstrated commitment to the importance of hands-on experiences for students and an enthusiasm for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and the CSU’s mission
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse campus community and to support equity and inclusive excellence for faculty, staff, and students
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or a record of being a good university citizen and working towards shared goals with a variety of university partners
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources effectively in a complex environment, an aptitude for fundraising, and the ability to develop partnerships and secure external support for programs, facilities, and personnel
• Understanding of the value of industry relations and a clear commitment to maintaining and enhancing relationships with a diversity of industry partners
• Success in resolving personnel issues in a complex and/or unionized environment
• Excellent communication skills in a wide range of settings

Reporting directly to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the dean will act as the lead academic and administrative officer for the College. The dean devises and executes strategic planning and visioning for the College and fosters an organizational culture that enables the recruitment and retention of diverse and talented faculty, staff, and students, including faculty support in their teaching, scholarship, professional engagement, and service to the university, college, and industry. The dean is responsible for the quality of academic programs and managing the fiscal, human, and physical resources and facilities of CLA. As the main spokesperson for the College, the dean will build deeper connections internally with leaders across campus and alumni, and externally with industry and government officials. This will include ensuring close alignment around academic and industry needs and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships across the University in support of CLA, Academic Affairs, and University-wide goals and objectives.
The dean oversees an administrative team composed of an associate dean for student success, associate dean for operations, associate dean for diversity and curriculum, and a director of research engagement. They also have 70 staff members and manage a state budget of approximately $58 million (including benefits), expendable foundation funds of approximately $2 million, endowment funds of approximately $14 million, and fee-based corporation funds of approximately $1 million.